GatewayRedbirds.com

Telegraph

Protected by a sheet of bullet-proof glass, Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina watched as home skipper Shakib Al Hasan received a rapturous welcome from the packed arena as he arrived at the rear of the unusual parade.

The two-hour event, in which Ricky Ponting, captain of defending champions Australia, led the sparkling three-wheeled procession, saw 3,500 performers putting on a show reflecting Indian, Sri Lankan, and Bangladeshi culture.

Indian singer Sonu Nigam and Bangladesh-based Runa Laila as well as veteran Canadian rocker Bryan Adams were the headline acts.

"I hope that the games will be memorable and exciting," said Sheikh Hasina. "It gives me great pleasure to declare the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup open."



Stumpy, the Cricket World Cup mascot

I watched some of a previous Cricket World Cup. Me and some friends went to an Indian restaurant for lunch and saw that it was on. It was so much fun to make fun of and the food was so good that we made it a regular thing.

I assumed this thread was started by Dill.

Do the crickets have sharp talons?

I still stand by my belief that baseball players would be better at cricket than cricket players if they tried to take it up.

India beats Bangladesh in the opening game:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket ... 01845.html

New Zealand defeats Kenya

Sri Lanka defeats Canada

India have legitimate chance of winning it all. Its going to be fun. I am so excited!

Go Team India!!

What, are there like 4 countries competing?